Venetian blind



Aug. 28, 1956 Filed April l7. 1952 N. MUSHELI VENETIAN BLIND 3 Sheets-Sheet l N. MUSHELI VENETIAN BLIND Aug. 28, 1956 s sheds-sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1952 Aug. 28, 1956 N. MUsHELl 2,760,566

VENETIAN BLIND Filed April 17, 1952 5 sheets-sheet s United States The present invention relates to a Venetian blind made of hinged slats.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for collapsing the blind -so that its slats lie adjacent one another in an extremely compact arrangement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for collapsibly folding the blind at a central portion of the window on which it is installed so as to provide free space, light, and air both above and below the collapsed blind.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a blind, which in its completely unfolded position will completely seal the opening over which it is installed.

With the above objects in view, the present invention mainly consists of a Venetian blind arrangement comprising, in combination, support frame means including two opposite upright guide members each formed with an elongated slot, a row of substantially parallel slats of gradually decreasing length from one end slat of the blind to the other end slat of the blind, the blind being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, a plurality of cross ns respectively fixed to the extremities of the slats, the cross fins on the same slat being of the same dimensions and all of the cross ns extending in a direction away from the longest of the slats and having in said direction a dimension which gradually increases from the longest to the shortest of the slats, the cross fins partially overlapping each other in the collapsed position of the blind so that in the collapsed position all of the cross ns except those connected to the longest slat have portions extending beyond the preceding cross fins, and lazy tong means for moving the blind between the positions thereof, the lazy'tong means including a plurality of links and a plurality of elongated connecting members for connecting individual links to each other at points thereof intermediate their free ends, at least some of said connecting members being longer than the combined thickness of the links which each respective connecting member connects to each other and being slidably arranged in one of the elongated slots of the guide members, and parallel links of the lazy tong means being connected, respectively, to the portions of the cross ns so that when the blind is in the collapsed position thereof the slats and lazy tong means together form a compact group.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a Venetian blind made in accordance with the present invention, in its open position;

arent ice Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the blind, in its collapsed position;

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the blind in its collapsed position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the same blind in its unfolded position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of `the blind in its collapsed position;

Fig. 5 shows the driving mechanism `o'f the lower shaft of the blind;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the blind in its open position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the blind in its open position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the blind in its collapsed position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of the blind in its collapsed position; `and Fig. 10 is a plan view, partly in section, of a portion of the blind.

In the following description, reference will be made to reference numerals lto identify different elements shown in the drawings, it 'being understood that, the same reference numerals, even when used with reference to different figures in the drawings, designate the same or equivalent elements.

The blind is installed on a window l1 of the wall 2 and is formed of a plurality of slats 3 made of metallic plate, each being provided with cross ns 4 and `5 at its extremities.

Each slat carries, .at its extremities, cross lins 6 of a size gradually in-creasing in the descending direction, which tins are secured at their free edges 7 to the parallel links 8. Each link 8 is connected to one of .the cross fins 6 at a point 41l., which represents the Apoint of intersection of each set of cooperating links 8, 9. As is clearly shown in thedrawing, the free ends of all but the last links `8 are connected to the free ends of links v9, so that the links 8, 9 together constitute a lazy tong arrangement.

As is further shown in the drawing connecting means 11 and .11" serve to connect the end links 8, -9. These connecting means 1'1, 11" are preferably longer than the combined thickness of the links 8, 9 which they connect to each other and are slidably arranged in elongated slots 16 of Voppositely arranged upright guide members 15. If desired, such elongated connecting members may be yprovided at the midpoints of allof the links 8J 9 so that all of the connecting members are slidably arranged within one of the elongatedslots 16.

As is clearly .shown in Fig. 10 each vof the elongated connecting members 11, 11 and 11 may be provided with a suitable retainingportion 23 which prevents accidental withdrawal of each connecting member from the slots.

Suitable drive means are lprovided 'for moving the blind to and yfrom its collapsed position. The drive .means includes Iendless chains 12 which are moved about upper pinions 13 and lower ,pinions 14. The arrangement of the partszis such that `the elongated connecting members 11', 1-1 vare connected in opposite portions of each chain 12 so that when the endless .chain 12 is movedabout vthe pinions -13 and 14, one of the `connecting members will move upwardly and the other of the connecting members will move downwardly `so that .the `.lazy .tong means and the hblind will lbe collapsed from both 'ends toward the center thereof.

-As lis best seen in Figs. 3 `iandS, the lower .pinions 14 are Secured to a horizontal shaft 17 located within `the hollow 18. This shaft carries a toothed Tbevel gear 119 meshing with a second bevel gear 20 secured to the shaft 2l which extends through the `wall 2, 'and which shaft is 3 provided with a handle 22 at the end opposite to that xed to the bevel gear 2i).

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of blinds differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in Venetian blinds, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any Way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

What is claimed, is:

1. A Venetian blind comprising, in combination, a row of substantially parallel slats of gradually decreasing length from one end slat of said blind to the other end slat of said blind, said blind being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position; a plurality of cross hns respectively xed to the extremities of said slats, the cross iins on the same slats being of the same dimensions and all of said cross tins extending in a direction away from the longest of said slats and having in said direction a dimension which gradually increases from the longest to the shortest of said slats, said cross fins partially overlapping each other in the collapsed position of said blind so that in said collapsed position all of said cross tins except those connected to the longest slat have portions extending beyond the preceding cross fins, respe-ctively; and lazy tong means having parallel links thereof respectively connected to said portions of said rcross tins for moving said blind between said positions so that in the collapsed position thereof the slats and lazy tongs means together form a compact group.

2. A Venetian blind comprising, in combination, a row of substantially parallel slats of gradually decreasing length from one end slat of said blind to the other end slat of said blind, said blind being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position; a plurality of cross tins respectively fixed to the extremities of said slats, the cross fins on the same slat being of the same dimensions and all of said cross ns extending in a direction away from the longest of said slats and having in said direction a dimension which gradually increases from the longest to the shortest of said slats, said cross fins partially overlapping each other in the collapsed position of said blind so that in said collapsed position all of said cross fins except those -connected to the longest slat have portions extending beyond the preceding cross tins, respectively; lazy tong means having parallel links thereof respectively connected to said portions of said cross tins for moving said blind between said positions so that in the collapsed position thereof the slats and lazy tong means together form a compact group; and drive means coupled to the ends of said lazy tong means for simultaneously collapsing said lazy tong means from both ends thereof toward the center thereof, so as to collapse said blind.

3. A Venetian blind arrangement, comprising, in cornbination, support frame means including two opposite upright guide members each formed with an elongated slot; a row of substantially parallel slats of gradually decreasing length from one end slat of said blind to the other end slat of said blind, said blind being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position; a plurality of cross fins respectively xed to the extremities of said slats, the cross fins on the same slat being of the same dimensions and all of said cross tins extending in a direction away from the longest of said slats and having in said direction a dimension which gradually increases from the longest to the shortest of said slats, said cross fins partially overlapping each other in the collapsed position of said blind so that in said collapsed position all of said cross tins except those connected to the longest slat have portions extending beyond the preceding cross fins; and lazy tong means for moving said blind between said positions thereof, said lazy tong means including a plurality of links and a plurality of elongated connecting members for connecting individual links to each other at points thereof intermediate their free ends, at least some of said connecting members being longer than the combined thickness of the links which each respective connecting member connects to each other and being slidably arranged in one of said elongated slots of said guide memers, and parallel links of said lazy tong means being connected, respectively, to said portions of said cross tins so that when said blind is in said collapsed position thereof the slats and lazy tong means together form a compact group.

4. A Venetian blind arrangement, comprising, in combination, support frame means including two opposite upright guide members each formed with an elongated slot; a row of substantially parallel slats of gradually decreasing length from one end slat of said blind to the other end slat of said blind, said blind being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position;

plurality of cross fins respectively fixed to the extremities of said slats, the cross fins on the same slat being of the same dimensions and all of said cross tins extending in a direction away from the longest of said slats and having in said direction a dimension which gradually increases from the longest to the shortest of said slats, said cross tins partially overlapping each other in the collapsed position of said blind so that in said collapsed position all of said cross tins except those connected to the longest slat have portions extending beyond the preceding cross tins; lazy tong means for moving said blind between said positions thereof, said lazy tong means including a plurality of links and a plurality of elongated connecting members for connecting individual linksto each other at points thereof intermediate their free ends, at least some of said connecting members being longer than the combined thickness of the links which each respective connecting member connects to each other and being slidably arranged in one of said elongated slots of said guide members, and parallel links of said lazy tong means being connected, respectively, to said portions of said cross tins so that when said blind is in said collapsed position thereof the slats and lazy tong means together form a compact group; and drive means coupled to the ends of said lazy tong means for simultaneously collapsing said lazy tong means from both ends thereof toward the center thereof so as to collapse said blind.

S. A Venetian blind arrangement, comprising, in combination, support frame means including two opposite upright guide members each formed with an elongated slot; a row of substantially parallel slats of gradually decreasing length from one end slat of said blind to the other end slat of said blind, said blind being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position; a plurality of cross tins respectively fixed to the extremities cf said slats, the cross tins on the same slat being of the same dimensions and all of said cross fins extending in a direction away from the longest of said slats and having in said direction a dimension which gradually increases from the longest to the shortest of said slats, said cross tins partially overlapping each other in the collapsed position of said blind so that in said collapsed position all of said cross tins except those connected to the longest slat have portions extending beyond the preceding cross tins; lazy tong means for moving said blind between said positions thereof, said lazy tong means including a plurality of links and a plurality of elongated connecting members for connecting individual links to each other at points thereof intermediate their free ends, a set of said connecting members at the ends of said lazy tong means being longer than the combined thickness of the links which each respective connecting member connects to each other and being slidably arranged in one of said elongated slots of said guide members, and parallel links of said lazy tong means being connected, respectively, to said portions of said cross ns so that when said blind is in said collapsed position thereof the slats and lazy tong means together form a compact group; and drive means coupled to said set of connecting members at the ends of said lazy tong means for simultaneously collapsing said lazy tong means from both ends thereof toward the center thereof so as to collapse said blind.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 428,570 Naylor s May 20, 1890 1,244,215 Lancaster Oct. 23, 1917 1,708,636 Shook Apr. 9, 1929 1,710,449 McCloud et al. Apr. 23, 1929 2,244,012 Johnson June 3, 1941 2,378,139 Graham June 12, 1945 

